[protomyth]

I mean no disrespect but sampo's comment illustrates the problem plan 9 and any other advance has. "I can already do that, but" beats unification and concept so easily. You cannot just build a better, simpler foundation, you absolutely must demonstrate something new or dress it up with "chrome". We don't care about the better mousetrap. I can put together a clunkier solution that does what your new concept does is almost a point of pride. We all do it, and I wonder how it affects are advances.

[Lambdanaut]

I disagree. Optimizing for doing something better than the previous solution is always a viable solution, and it will drive customers.

Though, momentum is unfortunately the largest mover of sales and vendor lock-in. Plan 9 never built that momentum.